A mining permit authorises smaller-scale mineral extraction, sitting below a full mining licence in both scope and cost. It suits operators working smaller deposits or shorter-term extraction projects.
Fee Summary Table
| Item | Fee / Charge |
|---|---|
| Application fee | Ksh. 7,000 |
| Annual ground rent | Ksh. 50,000 |
| Transfer fee | Ksh. 100,000 |
| Mineral Development Levy | 1% of gross sale value (0.5% for salt and cement) |
Source: The Mining (Licence and Permit) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (Legal Notice 43 of 2024).
What You Need
- Application detailing the mining area, method, and mineral targeted
- Basic environmental compliance documentation appropriate to the scale of operation
- Site restoration commitments
- Company or individual registration documents
Annual Rent Jumped Sharply
Note that while the mining permit’s application fee (Ksh. 7,000) is identical to the prospecting permit’s, its annual ground rent (Ksh. 50,000) is considerably higher — and significantly above the prospecting permit’s Ksh. 20,000. Factor this recurring cost into your operating budget from year one, not just the headline application fee.
A mining permit is a relatively low-cost way to formalise smaller mining operations, but remember the Mineral Development Levy still applies to whatever you extract and sell — there’s no production-scale exemption just because the permit itself is cheap to obtain.
